91070 Demonstrate understanding of basic concepts of information management


3Cr External

Here is the basic problem we will address in this unit. Jenny Jones is a 55 year old science teacher who has avoided using technology for most of her life. However, her students, her Head of Department and the Principal are all asking her you use more modern technology in her teaching. Her school has just installed a wireless system which means students will be able to use wireless devices in her class.

She really knows nothing about computers. she doesn't own one and avoids using one at school.

You are required to write a report that will explain to her some of the basic features of computer systems, how they work, how they are used to manage information, what is meant by file management procedures and the legal, moral and ethical issues of their use.

Remember to constantly refer back to the situation of Mrs Jones and her students

Task 1: Research Operating Systems

Start with the big picture. An operating system is one part of the computer system. What are the others? Show this with a diagram.

What is the purpose of the operating system?

What functions does it perform?

What is the relationship between the operating system and applications software?

What are some types of operating system?
– real time, multi-user, single user, multi-tasking, distributed.
Use a table to compare them.

What is the difference between open-source and licensed software?

Provide examples of
  • Remember to consider workstations, laptops, netbooks, tablets, touch screen devices and phones
    .
  • Name them, describe outstanding features, hardware requirements, price, advantages, disadvantages
  • Classify them as realtime, multi user, single user, distributed
  • Are they open source or licensed

Task 2: Research Applications Software

Use a table to compare common types of applications software,

Be sure to include software that would be used to perform the following tasks

– word processing, communicating, keeping a budget, creating slides for a presentation, managing complex data.

Include several examples of each type of software, eg excel, open office, google docs. etc.

Merit: explaining the purpose of operating systems and the purposes of common application software to manage information

Excellence:
• explaining how application software and operating system software interact to manage information
• justifying the selection of application software to perform a task to manage information


Task 3: Exploring File Management

Investigate the issues around file management for Mrs Jones and her students. What files will be used and why?

Begin with a discussion of user accounts and why schools have them. Talk about the problems of security and accountability vs shared access


structuring, naming and storing files and folders
Using shared access tools eg cloud storage or shared network storage

appropriate file compression techniques for the exchange of digital information
(such as zipping multiple files for emailing)
compression of video or audio files for transfer over the network and one device to another

managing threats to data.
how will files be backed up and protected from loss, back up, physical disaster, virus, crash


Merit: explaining the purpose and conventions of file management procedures and use of storage devices.

Excellence: comparing and contrasting the use of different file types for different purposes (eg pdf versus doc, jpeg versus bmp)